Allied Bakeries refutes supply claim

23 May, 2011

Page 8

Allied Bakeries has rejected claims that supplies of Kingsmill bread will be affected in the West Midlands region, after distribution and transport workers at its West Bromwich site voted in favour of industrial action.

Joe Clarke, regional officer at trade union Unite, said that, of the 150-or-so members of the bargaining group, 98% voted in favour of industrial action in a consultative ballot, following the unanimous rejection of a 1.675% pay increase. Clarke said the site has never done so well, with record financial results just announced by parent firm Associated British Foods.

Stories in the local press pointed to fears about disruption to the supply chain, but a spokesperson for Allied Bakeries said: "There is no reason to suggest a possible disruption in supply. At this stage we're working closely with the union and our employees to understand their concerns about the proposed pay rise, so it's premature to speculate about possible industrial action."